Category: Panama

Index Page for Panama

Categories
Panama travel guide

Panama in December

The high season starts in December so if you plan to spend your vacation in Panama during this month, plan in advance and expect higher prices. On the plus side, it’s not rainy on the Pacific Coast but it’s hot. So pack your swimsuit and lotion.

Weather

On the Pacific Coast, December is one of the rainless months , but it can rain on the Caribbean Coast, although not enough to ruin your trip.

Sample temperatures

Boca del Toro avg high 28C / avg low 28C
Boquete avg 19C
David avg high 30C / avg low 22C
Panama City avg high 30C / avg low 24C

>>read more about Weather in Panama

Flights and accommodation

The peak travel season in Panama starts in December and since everyone wants to escape the cold weather in North America and Europe, the airfare is high now. Also, book the accommodation in advance and expect to pay higher prices, too.

Things to do

Head to the Pacific and enjoy the beaches and the related activities, such as diving, snorkeling, windsurfing or kayaking. Don’t forget about shopping and you can enjoy the night life, too.

The Caribbean Coast is not a bad choice, either. You can plan to visit one (or more) of the San Blas Islands. Aside from soaking up the sun you can also take rainforest tours and see the wildlife. Or you can plan to sail between the islands.

Panama City is another good choice and easy to visit since you’ll most likely land on its international airport. Make sure to take a city tour and see the ruins of the 16th century original city , see the famous Panama Canal and also visit Casco Viejo – or the historical district- which offers superb bay views. Try the local cuisine and don’t forget to shop for some souvenirs. The nigh life in Panama City is lively and you’ll be sure to find a club which suits your tastes. You can jog or cycle on the Amador Causeway or you can enjoy a meal with a view.

You can also consider taking a scenic train ride on the Panama Canal Railway , which spans between the two oceans. The train ride is about 90 minutes.

Photo credit

Categories
Panama travel guide

Panama in July

While July falls right in the middle of the rainy season, the Caribbean coast enjoys a period with relative dryness. Yes, it might rain but the weather still allows for outdoor activities. You can also visiting Panama City, with its old Spanish colonial architecture and famous Panama Canal. Best of all, July falls during the off peak travel season so everything is affordable and you don’t need to tackle the crowds either.

Weather

July enjoys the veranito, or “little summer” , which means there is a dry spell right in the middle of the rainy season. You can expect some torrential rain on the Caribbean coast, but over all it’s not a very month. But on the Pacific Coast and inland, the storms are more powerful and the heat is also quite unbearable.

Sample temperatures

Boca del Toro avg high 28C / avg low 28C
Boquete avg 20C
David avg high 30C / avg low 23C
Panama City avg high 30C / avg low 25C

>>read more about Weather in Panama

Flights and accommodation

While most foreigners prefer to come to Panama during the cold season in the Northern Hemisphere (December to March), those who choose to visit Panama during July will appreciate not only the off peak airfare but also the lack of crowds. It also means you will get a better chance of finding good affordable accommodation .

What to do

Head to the Caribbean Coast and enjoy the beaches. You can dive, snorkel, work on your tan , try windsurfing or kayaking. Don’t forget about shopping and the night life, either.

The San Blas Islands are an excellent option for traveling to Panama in July. Aside from soaking up the sun you can also take rainforest tours and see the waterfalls and the wildlife. Or you can sail between the islands.

If you have some time to spend in Panama City, make sure to take a city tour and see the ruins of the 16th century original city. You’ll also want to see the famous Panama Canal. Casco Viejo – or the historical district- is the old Spanish colonial sector , which offers superb bay views and plenty of restaurants to try the local cuisine. And don’t leave the city without shopping for some souvenirs.

You can also enjoy a scenic train ride on the Panama Canal Railway , which spans between the two oceans. The train ride is about 90 minutes.

Photo credit

Categories
Panama travel guide

Getting from Panama to Colombia

Colombia is the only country in South America with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Border by Panama to the north, Colombia is also an important stop for those who travel to South America. The city offers both spectacular mountains and golden beaches , making it a lovely destination for many activities.

Getting from Panama to Colombia does require a bit of planning. There aren’t buses connecting the two countries as the Pan-American Highway stops at Darien Gap, a swampland and forest which separates the two countries. So, you are left with either flying or taking the boat.

Quick summary

The hassle free way to get between Panama and Colombia is to book a flight from Panama City to either Bogota or Cartagena. It will cost from US$345 one way (connecting flight). The scenic way would be to travel to Puerto Obaldia and then catch a ferry to Capurgana (in Colombia) and from here travel by plane or bus further into the country. This is the cheapest option, however. Or you can sail between the two countries but expect quite a lot of hassle planning it and prices comparable to the airfare.

Flights from Panama to Colombia

You can catch a flight from Panama City into Cartagena or Bogota.

El Dorado International Airport (BOG) serves the Colombian capital of Bogota and is the third airport in South America in terms of passenger traffic. It is hub for Avianca, Copa Airlines Colombia, LAN Colombia and Satena. It handles about 49% of all the traffic in and out of the country. Flights to/from Panama City are operated by: Avianca, Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia.

Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) serves Cartagena and is the second largest airport on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Flights to/from Panama City are operated by Copa Airlines Colombia.

Flights arrive / depart to / from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City , which is located about 24 km from the city center. It is hub for Copa Airlines.

Direct flights between Panama City and Bogota start at US$419 one way in mid-March 2012 , on flights operated by Avianca , but you can catch a connecting flight for US$296 one way (via Medellin, Colombia, operated by LACSA). Direct flights between Panama City and Cartagena start at US$345 one way on Copa Airlines.

>>book flights to Panama and read about Airports in Panama

Ferries from Panama to Colombia

The cheapest way to travel from Panama to Colombia is by ferry from Turbo to Capurgana. The single fare is about US$28 .

If you prefer a smaller boat, catch it from Puerto Obaldia to Capurgana, for about US$11.25 one way. The travel time is one way. From Capurgana you can get to Medellin by plane.

There are ferries from Panama to Cartagena and Bogota but the price is around US$350 one way, which competes with the airfare . However, it’s a scenic boat ride which takes about 5 days and is getting very popular. The boats sail through San Blas Islands, which are very beautiful. You cannot book in advance and you are left with doing the research locally.

Photo credit

Categories
Panama travel guide

Getting from Panama City to Bocas del Toro

Panama City , the capital of Panama, is also the transportation hub in the country. If you travel from abroad, this is where you’ll land and from where you’ll depart to visit the rest of the country. The city offers great shopping and even if you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll be happy to know that some English is spoken here.

Bocas del Toro is located in the Caribbean West region of Panama. The city is small and can be tackled on foot. Other good options include renting a bike or a scooter. One of the activities Bocas del Toro is popular for is scuba diving, but of course you can also soak up the sun and enjoy the beach related past time.

Quick summary

The cheapest option for travel between Panama City and Bocas del Toro is the bus via Almirante, followed by a ferry or a water taxi. Another option is the plane, but airfare costs about 3 times more than the bus fare.

Flights from Panama City (airport code: PAC) to Bocas del Toro

While your international flight will land on Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, the flights to Bocas del Toro depart from Gelabert/Albrook Airport (PAC). The airport is located just 1.5 km from the city center and the majority of the flights operated here a domestic.

Bocas del Toro is served by Bocas del Toro “Isla Colón” International Airport (BOC) , which is also located just 1.5 km from the city center.

Flights between Panama City and Bocas del Toro are operated by Aeroperlas and Air Panama. The rumor is that both companies will start operating flights from Tocumen as well, starting with June 2012.

You don’t be able to find the flights via large search flight engines (i.e. Kayak), so you are left with checking the airlines directly. Expect to pay US$80 one way on either Air Panama or Aeroperlas. The flight time is an hour.

>>book flights to Panama and read about Airports in Panama

Buses and ferries from Panama City to Bocas del Toro

There are direct buses from Panama City to Bocas del Toro , via Almirante. The bus departs Panama City from the terminal near Albrook Airport. In Almirante you need to transfer to the water taxi or ferry to Bocas del Toro. The total travel time is about 8 ½ h and the fare is around US$27 one way. Indirect buses are also available via David.

Your best bet is to show up at the bus terminal a day or two before the departure and get your ticket.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Panama

Driving from Panama City to Bocas del Toro

You can rent a car in Panama City and drive to Almirante and then transfer to ferry or water taxi to Bocas del Toro. The distance is 508 km and the drive time is about 8 h.

View Larger Map

Photo credit

Categories
Articles Panama

Panama is Beautiful and Affordable

Panama can claim much of the same bragging rights as other Central American countries. It offers pristine beaches, colonial towns juxtaposed with dazzling big cities, untamed jungles, and pleasant weather-year round. But unlike some of it’s more well-known neighbors like Costa Rica and Belize, Panama remains a little further off the American tourists radar.

Though the country is home to the famous Panama Canal, it still attracts fewer visitors than other destinations in the region, and has therefore remained a relative bargain. Air tickets to Panama can be had for under $300 if you are flying the 3-4 hours from the southern US, and hostels and laid back beach bungalows cost only a fraction of what you would pay in the Caribbean.  While it’s possible to visit Central America on $25 a day if you plan a budget-conscious trip, you can shave a little off that price and still enjoy a few luxuries in Panama.

Topping the list of places to visit in Panama include that famous engineering marvel, the Panama Canal; the historic Casco Viejo area of Panama City, and the sleepy beach town of Bocas Town. Whether you want adventure, the convenience of city life, or a remote slice of paradise to call your own, Panama fits the bill.

Photo by thinkpanama

Categories
Articles Panama

Bucket List Travel: Cruising through the Panama Canal

“A man, a plan, a canal: Panama.” Every schoolchild in the US learns about the Panama Canal, that marvel of modern engineering that allows ships to shortcut between Central and South America rather than take the long way around. And thousands of visitors come each year to see the famed locks in action; some even choose to get an up close view of the locks as they cruise through on a boat.

If you’re thinking about booking a cruise through the Panama Canal, there are a few things to consider. The first is whether or not you actually want to transit through the 50-mile canal. It takes about 12 hours to go through the three sets of locks, and while some might be captivated by the process, others might find a full day of crossing a little too relaxed. Some cruise ships are now offering a partial crossing, which stops after one set of locks and allows passengers to get off the boat for a day of shore excursions that they would otherwise miss.

The next consideration is how long you want to cruise and where you want to go. The most popular Panama Canal route starts in Florida or the Caribbean and lasts anywhere from 9-14 days, with several “at sea” days. But some smaller ships offer shorter cruises that go through the Canal and then make stops in Panama, Colombia or Costa Rica. Small-ship cruising is an entirely different experience from setting sail on a large ship, so check out all the options and weight the pros and cons before you decide what size ship is right for you.

The final consideration when planning a Canal cruise is flights. Since many Panama Canal cruises start and end in different spots, you’ll need to investigate open-jaw options when booking your cheap flights to Panama, or book each leg as a one way. A cruise through the Panama Canal makes an appearance on many a travel “bucket list,” and planning a trip though the landmark is easier than you might think.

Photo by Corvair Owner

Categories
Featured Articles Panama

James Bond: New movie will showcase Panama

Are you excited for the newest installment of the classic James Bond action series? Pumped to watch the suave Englishman dodge bullets, uncover truth and seduce a beautiful woman? If you are a fan of both James Bond and Panama, you’ll be in luck this coming November. The newest installment of the high octane adventure movie, Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig as Bond takes place in Austria, Italy and South America. However, the “South America” scenes in the movie were actually shot in Panama. Rumor has it the streets of Panama City will double for a city in Bolivia in the film.

Shooting for the film started in Panama last February. Main filming locations were scattered around Panama City, serving as backdrops for Bond escaping assassination attempts, dodging bullets, and romancing a beautiful, and maybe dangerous, woman.

Continue reading “James Bond: New movie will showcase Panama”
Categories
Featured Articles Panama

Cocktails: What will you be drinking in Panama?

With its breezy beaches, clear turquoise water and lush green hillsides, Panama is the idyllic location to celebrate life with a cocktail. From the national drink of seco con leche to tropical creations and Caribbean inspired drinks, there are plenty of ways to drink up in honor of the isthmus nation. If you can’t actually make it to Panama, you can always mix-up a Panamanian inspired cocktail at home and drink enough to at least pretend you’re relaxing on a Caribbean beach. Or, impress your friends with your worldliness at your next party and offer a Panamanian inspired bar menu.

    Pina Colada: If you like dancing in the rain, you’ll probably enjoy this fruity, tropical drink. It can be found all over Panama and when made with fresh pineapple is truly delicious. The cocktail mixes ice, rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice. If this drink alone doesn’t transport you to the tropics, jazz up the glass with little umbrella and put on your bikini.

    Seco Con Leche: Seco is a traditional distilled liquor made from sugar cane juice. The cheap 80 proof liqueur is the national drink. The most traditional (though admittedly not most delicious) way to drink is seco is mixed con leche, or with milk.

    Continue reading “Cocktails: What will you be drinking in Panama?”
Categories
Panama travel guide

Restaurants in Bocas del Toro

When visiting Panama’s tourism hot spot in Bocas del Toro, you will find a wide variety of restaurants that cater to both tourists and locals. Along the waterfront are touristy restaurants with great outdoor seating built on docks over the water. These establishments offer standard fare at slightly inflated prices. But, these are great places to get a coffee in the mornings and enjoy the watching the sun reflect off the Caribbean waters.

If you are like me, and are always in search of local joints where the food is cheap and authentic and the clientele is mostly Panamanian, than you should not miss Restaurante Chitre. Located on Bocas’ main strip, this cafeteria style haunt is a well-loved local institution. It may not look like much on the outside (or the inside for that matter), but here you can get a heaping pile of rice, beans the their to-die-for pollo asado for about US$2.50. The ladies who do the cooking know how to make good roasted chicken. The meat was tender and delicious and the sauce was the best I had during my entire month in Panama. Wash down your patacones with a soda and sit at one of the small, slanted tables outside. As soon as you bite into that pollo asado you’ll be glad you visited Restaurante Chitre. The only problem with place is that once you eat there once, you’ll find yourself not wanting to eat anywhere else during your stay on the island.

Continue reading “Restaurants in Bocas del Toro”
Categories
Panama travel guide

Biking in Bocas del Toro

On rainy day in Bocas del Toro, my travel companion Lindsey and I played cards in our hostel (Mondu Taitu) and brainstormed activities that could be equally fun in sun as in the rain. After talking to David, one of the friendly American owners of Mondu Taitu, we decided a bike ride through the island to Playa del Drago on the opposite side was just the thing to do. David told us the bike ride was just as fun, if not more, in the rain and the drizzle would keep us from getting too hot. The journey was 15 km each way and hilly, but we were up for the challenge.

We found bikes to rent in town for US$5 each, though I can’t say these bikes were in top condition. Because of the humidity, ocean air and general lack of upkeep, most bike rental places have rather rusty and ill-working bikes. The brakes worked (mostly at least) and the tires were inflated though, so Linds and I set out on our journey.

Continue reading “Biking in Bocas del Toro”